Ask the expert

Q: Can I install underfloor heating under wood flooring ? If so how long can I lay the wood floor after the installation of the underfloor heating ? Would you advise installing a wooden floor in a kitchen.

Q: I am using screws to fit a solid wood floor to a 12mm plywood sub floor. If the solid floor is screwed down how does it expand and contract. Also does the plywood subfloor need a 10mm surround gap?

Q: Why is wood flooring preferred to laminates?

Q: What technique do they use for fumed oak flooring?

Q: 200 year old cottage with small rooms. which solid wood flooring is best. would prefer to glue as existing floor is quarry tiled.

Q: I want some non slip wooden flooring for my shop. please advise thank you

Q: Spillages question I would like to laminate floor all of my studio flat but I have a puppy who has a spillage every so often. I clean it up quickly but I am wondering if i am quick enough and I would like to use the white oak v groove laminate but would I need to use something a little more water resistant?

Q: I am going to install a solid wood floor over a plywood subfloor probably using the nail down method. Can I install underlay under the floor to reduce noise?

Q: I have just installed a solid oak stained and lacquered floor. What product should I use on it to make it waterproof and protect it for the future?

Q: I would like oak flooring in my bathroom. The bathroom is not the family bathroom and should not be wet excessively! To eliminate water stains will underfloor heating work? Would it be possible to prevent the moisture entering the wood if, once layed the floor is coated with yacht varnish?

Q: Can I put wood flooring in a kitchen?

Q: Should I use water based flooring adhesive when laying my solid oak floor to ashphalt?

Q: I want wooden flooring in my lounge and dining area but dont know what type to buy! Which is the best flooring to have for these rooms?

Q: I have a solid concrete floor and wish to install solid oak flooring on top. I would prefer to avoid glueing the wood planks down. Can you offer advice on any alternative method? I was considering fixing battons down to nail the boards to or are there any underlays?

Q: I have had a solid floor laid in dining room which is through room to lounge with carpet what do you suggest as trim from wood to carpet as wood floor boards are quite thick.

Q: what wooden floor is advised for a 7msq bathroom?

Q: Hello, What is the standard dampness of wood in the Uk?

Q: We have laminate flooring currently and would like to replace with solid wood flooring. Underneath the laminate is chipboard and not ply wood, do i need to replace this with ply wood before fitting the solid wood flooring?

Q: I want to put Electric underfloor heating throughout the ground floor of a to-be-refurbished 1980s house. I am restricted as to the thickness of the insulation I can put under the flooring. I do not want to completely lift and re-do the screed. Would I be better using a top grade Laminate flooring, or could I use an Engineered-wood floor ? It will be about 60 Sq metres in all. I want the best quality end finish that is possible, and I want it to last. In either case what is the best insulation material I can use under the flooring ?

Q: What is the recommended post installation finish and ongoing cleaning and maintenance regime for an "HPPC" solid wood floor? How does "HPPC" differ from an oiled finish?

Q: How much wastage should I allow for in measuring room?

Q: I was intending to lay solid oak flooring to my kitchen extension but people have told me that engineered flooring would be better as we have bifold doors leading to garden and pets. They say that solid oak flooring can get warped if it gets wet regularly, which it probably will. Please advise.

Q: Which engineering oak floor has the lighter colour?

Q: Hi, I'm intending to lay an engineered wood floor with underlay over a concrete slab with underfloor heating. The room size is 5.5m x 5.2m Is there a specification or guidance for the flatness of the concrete slab (for example flat to within x mm per metre)? Thanks in advance.

Q: I have 130mm wide engineered flooring and I want to cut a 45 degree angle what with?

Q: can you use wood flooring in a bathroom

Q: Can you use engineered oak floor in the conservatory

Q: I am interested in purchasing real wood but due to existing skirting boards and doors, the floor should not be thicker then 10mm. Do you do such a product.

Q: what solid wood i can have for living room ,hall and kitchen

Q: Our neighbour laid solid oak floorboards in our lounge. Unfortunately he didn't leave enough gap between the boards and the granite hearth. The floorboards are now really tight against the hearth and we need to make a gap before they expand any further and either crack the hearth or lift the whole floor. Does anybody have any ideas how we can make this gap? We tried a drevell but even the smallest bit wouldn't fit underneath the lip of the hearth.

Q: We are laying solid oak, glued tongue and groove, floating flooring over concrete floor 26sqm area, dining room and reception hall joining. Would you suggest we lay a damp proof membrane and an underlay or do we buy from you a combined underlay?

Q: I was enquiring when a newly screeded floor laid two months ago - 100mm thick; how long before we can lay a 14mm solid wooden floor on top of this - how long would you advise?

Q: Can engineered boards be used in a kitchen and if so how should they be cleaned?

Q: What would you recommend for underlay that helps in sound reduction, uneven subfloor and thermal insulation? I would like to have solid wood floorboards over the present floorboards for the hallway. I live in a flat. Thanks.

Q: Is solid wood flooring better than engineered wood flooring in kitchens?

Q: Is a engineered oak moisture resistant as my solid oak floor has swelled all over? Due to my over site it is not concreted. Also would you recommend a damp proof underlay? My floor boards have been over boarded with hardboard, should this be removed? Unfortunately even my sofas went mouldy after the oak was laid.

Q: I have purchased Galleria Solid European Fumed Oak 180mm HPPC Oiled Flooring and I am wondering if it can be laid directly on to a riven slate floor with the Fast Fit Peel and stick underlay? Alternatively, would I be better to lift the slate floor?

Q: What type of wood should be used in bathrooms?

Q: Can wood flooring be laid on a concrete floor with underfloor heating?

Q: Hi, could you please recommend solid wood flooring that would be suitable for a kitchen and hallway? I know not all is recommended for use in kitchens, so would appreciate your help as I don't have much time to choose and don't want to make the wrong decision. Many thanks!

Q. Will engineered boards be suitable for under floor heating? If so what guarantee do you offer?

Q. What is the best way to install solid hardwood flooring onto a cement floor?

Q. I want to fit a 15mm engineered wood floor but after removing the existing floor I need to make up 35mm. Can I fit direct on to a polystyrene board?

Q. I would like to ask about the Series Elite 10mm American Black Walnut V Groove Laminate Flooring. Is it a DPL construction with a HDF core? What warranty is offered? What rooms is it suitable for?

Q. Hi there, what is the difference between brushed & oiled and lacquered flooring? Is there a quality or maintenance difference? I'm looking to use this throughout the downstairs of my house, including in kitchen, I have 2 cats and a toddler so wish to know which would be best?

Q: I've got a 15mm engineered oak floor, can it be fitted using hidden screws or nails,or does it need to be floated?

Q: How long should I leave flooring to acclimatise?

Q: I have read about self adhesive underlay (Elastilon) for installing a solid wood or engineered wood over a concrete floor. Is this a good method, if not what would you recommend?

Q: I want to put solid wood in my basement - previously oak flooring lifted because of damp subflooring (concrete floor: sand, asphelt level, adhesive & oak flooring). What do you suggest?

Q: We're thinking of solid wood flooring but would appreciate a little info re: insulation for solid wood floors. 1. What's the best insulation for solid wood floors - does it need it? 2. What's the depth of the insulation? 3. What's the warmest/ best? 4. How much is insulation per sq metre (cheapest - expensive) 5. Do you install insulation & flooring - how much? 6. Any idea on price for the above questions for approx 20 sq metres. 7. How much seasonal movement can there be, and what's the best way to combat this? Many thanks for any info you can provide.

Q: I made the mistake of using white spirits on my oak flooring to try to remove a black scuff mark. When I got up this morning the patch I worked on was almost white! I've since wiped it with a damp cloth and the colour returned but I'm worried that when it dries again I'll be back to what looks like bleached wood. What are my options?

Q: Which is the hardest wood floor ?

Q: I have small house in London and would like to change from carpet to wooden floor, but I don't have any experience at all about how to choose the best option for my house (but I would prefer to have solid wooden floor) and how to get it installed. My question is: Do you have anyone who can do a survey at a site (measure the rooms, etc) and give a recommendation? Also, do you have anyone who could install a wooden floor in my house? If yes what the cost will be?

Q: I have just bought a house with oak flooring and I want to white wash them. How do I do that? Is it something you could do for me?

Q: I would like to replace my existing antique pine floorboards (@1900) with solid hardwood flooring. Can I simply replace the floorboards with hardwood and install direct to the floor joists? Thanks

Q: For electric under floor heating, would you recommend engineered wood ahead of solid wood? Please state reasons. Thanks.

Q: I purchased a Galleria 150 x 20mm solid Oak floor from you and want to know how to install the oak end stops at doorways for transition from wood to tile. The end stops are not as high as the floor planks, so how (and to what) do you attach them to keep them in place and hide expansion gap?

Q: What type of flooring for a kitchen

Q: I want to fit solid oak flooring to a wooden floorboard sub floor. Can I fit it using screws only without an underlay?

Q: I have Marty Lineal Oak Decor flooring in my lounge and have now had the wall knocked down through to my dining room. Unfortunately it seems this flooring is no longer available. It has a plank width of 125mm, thickness of 14mm, wear layer of 3.2 and comes in a mixture of lengths. Can you recommend anything similar that will not look too different to carry on through to the next room?

Q: I want to have a solid wood bathroom floor, what type of finish should I be looking for?

Q. What is the best advice for cleaning a newly laid oak floor?